Spoke Atomic Aquatics this morning, then mailed them my mask later this afternoon.
Wish me luck!
Followed up with Atomic today. They gave me a tracking number for new mask they mailed me, so I was able to confirm they mailed it to me this Monday (5/14).
looks like bypassing the dive shop this time was the right thing to do, because this way I have no doubt I'm getting one from the new batch - Seems like I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Normally I'd never go through this whole ordeal just for a mask. However, I've always had trouble with masks fitting me, even more so since I started diving a rebreather in 2007. On the rebreather, I've always seemed to have a small amount of gas consistently escaping through the seal of the mask when I exhale, and if you know anything about a closed-circuit rebreather, gas escaping from the loop should never happen, unless you're ascending of course. But with the Venom mask, I've been able to achieve a perfect seal. I also love the amazing clarity of the special glass because I do lots of photography, and if you've ever dove with me, you know I like to coordinate the color of my equipment to match match the black and red colors on my rebreather - Love that black and red Venom!
Some people might hesitate when seeing the $200 price tag of the Venom, but honestly, when you compare that to the amount of money I've spent on my rebreather and camera setup, it's the equivalent of pennies!